Baby Boy Grin held off the challengers in Friday’s $10,000 Open I Trot feature at Vernon Downs.
Driver Stephane Bouchard made an aggressive move as the field left the first turn and moved to the backstretch with Baby Boy Grin, taking a lead he would never relinquish.
That isn't to say it was a walk in the park for Baby Boy Grin. Evil Urges (Jimmy Whittemore) had been racing in mid-pack during the early stages of the race and came charging after the leader in the stretch, just missing by a neck. Pollux Blue Chip (Claude Huckabone III) had been caught four-wide coming off the final turn, but still rallied well enough to finish third.
Baby Boy Grin, a son of Grinfromeartoear-Orillia Babe, was able to hold off all the closers in a finish that resembled a cavalry charge and prevail in a final time of 1:53.2. He is owned by Geoffrey and Mary Howles of Saratoga Springs, New York. Geoffrey Howles doubles as the trainer.
Live racing resumes at Vernon Downs on Saturday night with a 13-race program. The featured event is a $10,000 Open I Pace, carded as the eighth race. Post time is 6:45 p.m.
(Vernon Downs)